What is the Cost of Cataract Surgery?

Cost Factor: Cataract Surgery Location

While you might not have a lot of choice over the type of procedure you need, you can determine where you have your procedure.

Did you know that the same medical procedure can be two to three times more expensive at one facility when compared to another with no difference in quality?

It is more cost-efficient to have cataract surgery at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) rather than in a hospital. ASCs are typically able to perform your procedure at the same high level of care with the same specialized attention, or even better, but at a lower cost – an especially nice advantage if you have a copay.

You deserve to know all of the details about your out-of-pocket responsibility so you can evaluate, compare costs and make wise financial decisions with your healthcare dollars. Ambulatory surgery centers have performed safe, high-quality outpatient medical procedures for more than 40 years.

Consider scheduling your outpatient procedure at an ambulatory surgery center.

Cost Factor: Your Intraocular Lens

When considering the different types of IOLs, you should be fully informed about what your insurance will and will not cover. Medicare will pay for standard monofocal lenses only. Because the insertion of a premium IOL is an elective procedure, most insurance will not cover the additional costs. The fees for premium lenses can be highly variable. If you choose one of these options, make sure you fully understand the costs ahead of time.

When deciding to upgrade your intraocular lens, compare the cost of the premium lenses to buying eyeglasses or contacts for the rest of your life. If you consider the cost of the eyeglasses/contact lenses and how often you have to replace them, premium lenses may be the most affordable choice.